Opinion

Blog: Arjuna The Elephant Is Dead. I Hope He Is At Peace

Arjuna is dead. When I first saw the news of the death of this majestic elephant, there was a sense of sorrow.

Blog: Behind PM Modi's Big Roadshows In Bengaluru

Political veteran SM Krishna, as Chief Minister of Karnataka from 1999 to 2004, set up the Bangalore Agenda Task Force - a public-private partnership that included the likes of Infosys Co-founder Nandan Nilekani.

Blog: Even In Victory, Congress Will Have A Huge Karnataka Problem

They both have that political X Factor, leadership quality, and political ambition.

Blog: The "Nepo Kids" Of Karnataka Election

When Karnataka politicians say the party is like their family, they could well mean it.

Blog: JD(S) Could Well Play Kingmaker Again

When former Karnataka Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy of the Janata Dal (Secular) mentions the BJP and the Congress - he often clubs them together and refers to them as "the national parties".

Blog: Don't Read Too Much Into Kichcha Sudeep's Support For "Uncle Bommai"

Kannada film stars - the ones at the top of their game - seem to be more interested in sticking to their day job. Perhaps they prefer to deal with the uncertainty of the Friday first day first show rather than the rough & tumble of electoral politics

Blog: The Bengaluru-Mysuru Highway - Politics And Emotions

For thousands of travelers, it will just be a new road - no memories attached. As the years go by, fewer people will remember that tree-shaded road. As toll roads take over, time takes its toll.

Blog: BJP's Quota Challenge In Karnataka

Elections are months away in Karnataka and the ruling BJP faces a January deadline to increase quota for the Vokkaliga community in jobs and education.

Opinion: On Rape-Accused Lingayat Seer, The Silence Of Karnataka Parties

Late night, September 1. The police in Chitradurga, Karnataka, moved in to arrest a man charged with the rape of two minor girls. The police had put in place considerable security before the arrest - including barricades and extra personnel.

A Kannadiga's Take On The Ajay Devgn Tweet - Maya Sharma

The old slogan 'Unity in Diversity' needs to be revived in spirit - for languages too. And for that, there needs to be a respect for all the languages in this incredible country. No language is more equal than any other.

Blog: Saying Goodbye To Appu

When a beloved star, at the height of his popularity, dies an unexpected and untimely death, the emotions of the fans are right there for the world to see.

Blog: When I Went For A Coronavirus Test

After journalists tested positive in Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu, the Karnataka government decided to test us too. Calls were made and it was scheduled organisation by organisation.

Blog: What I Learnt While Covering Sushma Swaraj's Campaign

Sushma Swaraj did not disappear from Bellary after her defeat. She visited the city for many consecutive years on the occasion of the Varamahalakshmi Puja which she celebrated with the Reddy family.

Blog: "No Ladies": The Perils Of Being A Woman Reporter In Sabarimala

At Nilakkal, we saw a crowd shouting slogans, police standing by. A reporter from a Kerala channel called me aside. "Take off the press stickers from your car," he advised. "And the logo from your mike. And best not to go that side," he added - indicating the crowd.

Blog: Gauri Lankesh, Passionate, Outspoken, Fiercely Committed

Dark, bright eyes. Such a contrast to that shock of short, white hair. A lean frameburning with an intense energy. Gauri Lankesh was vital, she was alive. Last night, she was shot dead at her house in Bengaluru.

Blog: Inside The Reddy Wedding In Bengaluru, Here's What I Saw

The vital stats are now front-page news: 50,000 guests, 3,000 security guards and bouncers, a venue that covered 30 acres and included multiple Bollywood-type sets.

Blog: Mother Teresa's Message For Bangalore - Delivered On Tarmac

It is unreal to think that I met someone who has been declared a saint!

Blog: My Bengaluru Reports Included Fish - And A Snake

Bengaluru after a night of non-stop rain. It looked as if the city was drowning.

Blog: At 92, The Aura And Appeal Of VS Achutanandan Is Still Strong

VS Achutanandan started his union work early. He was still in his teens, working in a coir factory, when he began organising workers. With very little formal education, it was his ability to connect with the people that saw him rise through the party ranks. He is outspoken and has offended and been chastised by his party over the years. And his reported bad blood with...

Blog: What It's Like To Campaign With Kerala Chief Minister Oommen Chandy

I was asked to wait inside the house with the kindness often shown to strangers, particularly women reporters, in a small town.